Posted By James Williams On July 31, 2013 @ 2:33 PM In Florida News,Insider Main,MLB,Sports Media | No Comments

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Rays looking to land The Beast,” before the 4 pm trade deadline.

2:58 p.m. It seems that getting Michael Morse is now a two team race.

Sports Talk Florida has learned that Baltimore has joined the Rays in conversations with the M’s for the slugger. Tampa Bay has the chips to beat out the O’s for the power hitter. The key is how bad do they want him? Also, how bad do they want to keep him out of Baltimore.

We will find out in about an hour if either team lands Morse.

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Seattle and the Rays are talking about a deal that would send Michael Morse to Tampa Bay in exchange for Sean Rodriguez. This could be a last minute deal sources tell Sports Talk Florida.

Morse would be an a good addition to the Rays, as a designated hitter, as well as a back up first baseman and reserve outfielder. He is one of the best power bats on the trade market and he was a key member of a Washington Nationals team that won a baseball high 98 games.

His nickname is “The Beast,” he is a steal for any team willing to take a chance on him.

He remains a fan favorite in DC, so much so that when the M’s visited Camden Yards to face Baltimore a number his fans from Washington made the 40 mile trip to see him play.

He was traded to Seattle by Washington when the team picked up former Tampa Catholic standout Denard Span to play center field. The Nationals were set in the outfield and Morse would have been a bench player.

GM Mike Rizzo wanted to help Morse out so he traded him to Seattle for a top young pitching prospect. But most of the season he has been hurt and he is just getting back into shape.

When healthy Morse can hit for both power and average. He becomes a free agent at the end of the year and might be a good fit for the Rays.

Now what is going on in Charm City? We know that the Orioles have already acquired Scott Feldman and Francisco Rodriguez this month, the team is far from done with their trade deadline buying. According to Jim Bowden of ESPN.com, the team is still actively involved in talks with the Astros for Bud Norris and the Twins for Justin Morneau. ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian notes that the team’s interest in Morneau is not strong, but he is still a name to file away as the deadline approaches.

The Yankees and the Phillies are talking about a deal for third baseman Michael Young. It is down to New York and Texas in the Young sweepstakes and this won’t come cheap. Whoever gets Yong will have to pay a big price in prospects. So in the end he may not move.